Bulldogs Streak Ends in OSU Runaway

January 2, 2007

Ryan Mann

STILLWATER – Southwestern Oklahoma State University got its first chance in 70 years to exchange baskets with in-state heavyweight Oklahoma State University in a rare matchup between NCAA Division I and Division II teams.

The Bulldogs stayed close early but were unable to keep pace as the Cowboys ran away with their superior size and athletic ability to an easy 129-77 victory Tuesday in Stillwater. The loss was SWOSU’s first in 11 games while the Cowboys, the nation’s 12th ranked team, improved to 14-1.

All-American candidate Mario Boggan had a career-best 36 points while teammate JamesOn Curry finished with 31 points. The 129 points scored by OSU was the most in school history and broke a mark that had stood for more than 30 years.

SWOSU was led by Ryan Mann with 15 points, 13 of which came after halftime. The Bulldogs, who entered the game making better than 52% of their shots, could not find their touch making just 29-of-83 shots for a season-low 35%.

Nate Perry

The Bulldogs kept the margin under 10 for the games’s first 11 minutes. Nate Perry hit a pair of free throws to keep the Bulldogs close at 27-19 with 9:11 to play. However, OSU began to heat up and went on a 15-2 run that was capped when Curry scored on a fast break layup. The margin had been doubled and OSU was comfortably ahead 42-21 with 4:54 to play.

OSU built it even further and led 57-29 at the break.

The undersized Bulldogs were down 40 within the first seven minutes and the Cowboys were at 100 with 6:35 to play.

OSU benefited from 41 trips to the free throw line in which they sunk 34 while for 83%. The Bulldogs made it just 11 times to the line making nine.

OSU made 64% of its baskets and out rebounded the Bulldogs by a 2-to-1 margin.

SWOSU will resume Lone Star Conference play Thursday at Texas A&M-Kingsville before returning home Saturday against league favorite Tarleton State University. Tipoff for the Tarleton game is at 7 p.m.